2011 December/2012 January fellowship!

fellowship!

CBF

December 2011/ January 2012

Cooperative baptist fellowship | www.thefellowship.info

Serving Christians and churches as they discover and fulfill their God-given mission

In the Middle East, CBF field personnel Chaouki and Maha Boulos coordinate Celebrate Jesus events, open-air celebrations that feature live music, testimonies, group and individual prayer and sermons.

CBF Photo

Learn more about the Bouloses’ ministry on pages 10-13.

Celebrate Jesus

Leadership lessons I am in a reflective season, particularly about the subject of leadership. As I see it, leadership is both a gift to be received and a role to be learned. God calls leaders but also expects leaders to grow. Perhaps everyone in some sense is a leader. Everyone has influence and makes decisions that impact others. In countless informal settings each of us is called upon to take responsibility for the greater good.

Surely within churches, ministries, institutions, organizations and the broader culture there are formalized roles of leadership. The following are some lessons I have learned during my tenure at CBF: LEADERSHIP INVOLVES RISK. There is a difference between calculated and foolish, reasonable and ridiculous risk, but a leader must often make decisions where the outcome is not already known and determined. One should seek the opportune time and reason for risk, but sometimes that’s not possible. External circumstances or internal developments impose deadlines. One simply doesn’t have the option of standing still.

LEADERSHIP COMES WITH CONFLICT AND CRITICISM. It’s part of the territory. There is a difference between criticism that’s fair and unfair, constructive and destructive, informed and uninformed, but often it’s a mixture. Conflict is not necessarily bad. It can be creative, depending on how we respond to it. No one enjoys criticism, but I have learned through the years to receive criticism as an opportunity to learn, especially if the critic is a person I respect. If it is anonymous, I pay little attention to it.

A LEADER MUST LEARN RHYTHM. Leadership is demanding work that must be balanced with seasons of rest. I have little sympathy for the lazy leader or for the one who complains about how hard it is to be a leader. But without periods of rest and Sabbath we become depleted and useless. Rest takes many forms: vacation, “off days,” solitude, play, family and friends. But without careful attention to a rhythm of engagement and disengagement, activity and inactivity the effectiveness of leadership will be diminished and eventually destroyed.

LEADERSHIP MAINTAINS INTEGRITY. Parker Palmer talks about “congruence” between one’s “role” and “soul.” What a person appears to be on the outside must match what that person is on the inside. If a leader is not walking in the ways of justice, compassion and humility, then their leadership becomes hollow. The leader must be held accountable, just as he or she holds others accountable. I have lived long enough to see how leaders often fall and fail: they become greedy, sexually immoral or ego-driven. Integrity in leadership requires constant vigilance, brutal honesty, spiritual discipline and the sustaining grace of God. LEADERSHIP REQUIRES LOVE. Love rejects a “command and control” mentality refusing to be autocratic and authoritarian. Love asks the hard questions: “Do I really care for the people with whom I work? Am I only task-driven and goaloriented?” Love values measurable results and organizational effectiveness, but love also values persons and protects the dignity of everyone. Love means learning to Vol. 21, No. 6 listen, seeking consensus and possessing a willingness to confront wrongs. executive Coordinator • Daniel Vestal LEADERSHIP IS TESTED. Often a leader is confronted with a crisis or circumCoordinator, Fellowship Advancement • Ben McDade stance over which there is little or no control. I recall hearing Henri Nouwen say that Editor • Lance Wallace for Jesus, more important than what he did was what was done to him. He was arrestmanaging Editor • Patricia Heys ed. He was tried. He was mocked. He was beaten. He was crucified. He suffered. And Associate Editor • Carla Wynn Davis in his suffering we are redeemed. Jesus bore his suffering with faith, hope and love.

Phone • (770) 220-1600 How we respond to hardship and difficulty will define our lives and leadership as Fax • (770) 220-1685 much, if not more, than anything else we do. These are the “tests” of leadership, and when E-Mail • fellowship@thefellowship.info they come it’s too late to prepare for them. We must simply endure them and demonstrate Web Site • www.thefellowship.info in that experience the content and character of our deepest selves. After they pass, hopefellowship! is published 6 times a fully, we learn as well as grow from them and then become prepared for the next ones.

year in Feb./March, April/May, June/July, Aug./Sept., Oct./Nov., Dec./Jan. by the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship, Inc., 2930 Flowers Road South Suite 133, Atlanta, GA 30341. Periodicals postage paid at Atlanta, GA. USPS #015-625. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to fellowship! Cooperative Baptist Fellowship, 2930 Flowers Road South, Suite 133, Atlanta, GA 30341.

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October/November 2011

Daniel Vestal, CBF Executive Coordinator

Contents

9 10-16

In Canada, CBF field personnel Kim and Marc Wyatt are ministering among the immigrants and refugees living in the country’s largest cities.

Five Tips for dealing with conflict in your church

Sharing the gospel • Celebrating Jesus • Hearing the story for the first time • ‘Christ is present in all cultures’

17 18-24

Affect: December Missions Education Resource Helping Haiti rebuild • Called to Haiti • ‘God keeps providing’ • Haiti Housing Network • Self-help groups empower Haitians

25 26 27 28 30-31

Affect: January Missions Education Resource

CBF photo

Summer Opportunities for Students Partner Spotlight: Passport Inc. Upcoming CBF events, retreats and conferences 2012 General Assembly — Fort Worth, Texas

FROM THE EDITOR This Christmas, many of us will hear the story of Jesus’ birth for yet another time. Some of us have heard the

story so many times that we can recite it from memory. As we often do at this time of year, we’ll gather with family, friends and our church communities to reflect on the gift of the season through prayer, music, communion and worship.

On Christmas Day at Thanksgiving Church in Chengdu, China, hundreds of people will pack into the church’s worship space on the top floor of a small neighborhood building. Amid the tinsel and cardboard decorations, many people will hear the story of Jesus Christ for the first time.

CBF field personnel Bill and Michelle Cayard helped start Thanksgiving Church as part of their ministry to share the story and love of Jesus with people in China. In this issue of the fellowship! magazine, you’ll read about the Cayards’ ministry and about other CBF field personnel who are sharing the gospel.

In the Middle East, Chaouki and Maha Boulos coordinate “Celebrate Jesus” events, where thousands of people attend and often hundreds make professions of faith. And, in Bali, where art is a way of life, Jonathan and Tina Bailey are being the presence of Christ through art and music.

These are ministries that change lives. And they are all funded through your generous gifts to the CBF Offering for Global Missions. As you hear the Christmas story this year, consider giving to the CBF Offering so that someone else might hear the good news for the first time.

Patricia Heys, managing editor, pheys@thefellowship.info Editor’s Note: On page 24 of October/November fellowship! magazine, Agim was misidentified. He is an Albanian citizen of Macedonia who has worked alongside CBF field personnel Arville and Shelia Earl ministering to refugees and families in need.

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December 2011/January 2012

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When you give...

“We are thankful for the gift from the estate of Mary Martin, giving us another assurance that in spite of the financial uncertainties in the world we live in, the Lord continues to supply for our needs and allows us to continue living our call to serve the most marginalized in the Ukraine.”

Gennady Podgaisky One of CBF’s field personnel CBF photo

Ukraine

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he first time many members of Ball Camp Baptist Church in Knoxville, Tenn., heard the story of Jesus, Mary Martin was likely the one sharing it. Martin was a life-long member and Sunday School teacher for children at the church for more than 50 years.

“There are folks in the church, even some older ones, who remember being taught by Mary as a child,” said Ed SundayWinters, pastor of Ball Camp. “Some of the people she taught, she also taught their children and their grandchildren.”

When Martin passed away last year, she left a portion of her estate to the church, which established the Mary Martin Missions Endowment Fund. Administered

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through the CBF Foundation, proceeds will be directed toward activities that support childhood education, specifically, the ministry of CBF field personnel Gennady and Mina Podgaisky in Kiev, Ukraine.

“As a church, we thought the best way to honor her memory was to donate to a cause that helped educate children,” said SundayWinters. “As a congregation, we decided to donate money from her estate to the Podgaisky’s ministry, that touches the lives of street children.”

The Podgaiskys form relationships with street children, assist in providing them with basic necessities and help those who want to move off the streets. They helped establish Village of Hope, a ministry center for at-risk children that hosts year-round

The Village of Hope will benefit from Ball Camp Baptist Church’s Mary Martin Missions Endowment Fund.

Christian camps, mini-retreats and seminars and now is also home to four foster families, with a total of 20 children.

The church took an active role in choosing where the endowment proceeds would be directed. Three families from the church learned about ministries related to educating children and then made presentations to the congregation. Since then, the church has developed a strong relationship with the Podgaiskys, and members are planning a shortterm mission trip to serve alongside them.

“Mary Martin continues to touch lives and influence others from heaven,” said Jim Smith, CBF Foundation president. “A memorial endowment continues Martin’s legacy and provides a vital income stream to the ministries she loved.”

If you are interested in setting up an endowment through the CBF Foundation, contact Jim Smith at jrsmith@cbff.org or (800) 352-8741. To learn more about the Foundation, go to www.cbff.org.

December 2011/January 2012

Serve

Use your business skills to help create jobs in Moldova

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George and Virginia dream of starting their own store in their own town of Vulcanesti, Moldova.

George and Virginia dreamed of starting their own store in their own town of Vulcanesti, Moldova.

CBF Photo

eorge and Virginia wanted to stay in their home village of Vulcanesti, Moldova. They wanted to help build Bethlehem Baptist Church.

They wanted to provide a stable home for their children and to have them attend school regularly. But, like many Moldovans, George and Virginia were unable to earn a decent living in their home country and left in search of work.

Moldova is the poorest country, per capita, in Europe. And, when it comes to finding work, Romany people like George and Virginia have an even tougher time. The Romany people are a despised minority in Moldova, facing prejudices when it comes to employment, education and social services.

Mary van Rheenen, one of CBF’s field personnel, works with the Romany community in Moldova to help people like George and Virginia find ways to make a living. Van Rheenen and her husband, Keith Holmes, live in the Netherlands but coordinate ministries among the Romany throughout Europe.

“We partner with Operation Mobilisation (OM), an international agency that supports local churches in their local outreach,” Van Rheenen said. “In Moldova, this includes micro-economic development. OM staff provide training and guidance for the creation or expansion of small

serve

businesses. ‘Credits’ or loans range from $100 to $3,000. Several people in Vulcanesti will follow this training and apply for loans this fall.”

Eduard, for example, plans to collect and sell scrap metal. His loan would go toward buying the necessary van. Nina wants to sew and sell pillowcases in the local market.

Her loan would help buy materials and pay fees.

George and Virginia recently tried to start their own businesses, a small store and selling tomatoes, but both failed. Van Rheenen says that not only does the couple

need training and immediate employment but they also need hope.

“We see lots of people who have no hope,” she said. “And Scripture tells us where there is no hope, no vision the people perish.

“This is a pretty big dream of ours, but we’re looking and praying for one or two people who can develop employment opportunities in this area of Moldova,” Van Rheenen said. “This is not a one-time, one-week trip, but a long-term investment of a person’s skills, time and a whole lot of prayer.”

To learn more about the opportunities below or other ways to serve, contact CBF staff member Chris Boltin at engage@thefellowship.info or (800) 352-8741.

Adopt an entrepreneur

Serve in Moldova

Pray for a specific individual starting a business in Moldova.

Commit to praying regularly for the success of his or her business in a difficult economic environment.

Use your business skills, experience and resources to help create employment and economic development opportunities in Moldova. fellowship!

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Learn

Share ideas for ministry through CBF’s communities on Facebook

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learn

Photo courtesy of First Baptist

Photo courtesy of FBC Waynesville

hen news reporters stopped Robert Prince, senior pastor of First Baptist Church Waynesville, N.C., on the sidewalk of Waynesville Middle School in 2010, he was scraping a stale, decaying wad of bubble gum from the pavement. How did he respond to the reporters’ questions? “We want to be the presence of Christ on campus,” he said.

What began with humble gum-scraping soon grew into a partnership between the churches and schools of Haywood County, North Carolina.

Following a funding shortage and the threat of teacher layoffs that year, Prince, along with other local pastors, approached the school foundation board with a work day, in which their churches would A Sunday School class at First Baptist Church Waynesville painted hand rails at Waynesville Middle School. save the district money through volunteer maintenance work. The you wished your students and fellow items ranging from hot dinners to peanut work of First Baptist members, as well as teachers could know the love of Jesus. And butter, also provides security to students other churches across the county, saved we know this is where Jesus would be. I that are not always assured adequate food two jobs and inspired an agreement for wasn’t sure how it would work but it has on the weekends. ongoing partnerships between the school been a wonderful journey as our church In addition to First Baptist, system and churches. In the agreement, has a created a team that is willing to bring approximately 30 other churches are First Baptist adopted Waynesville God’s presence to this campus.” partnering with schools across Haywood Middle School.

The partnership with the school has County. Prince says that the spirit of Judy Pettigrew, a former seventh grade gone beyond basic maintenance with partnership and service has become teacher at the middle school, has been church members being the presence of contagious. coordinating the church’s partnership with Christ in other ways. Ron Muse, a deacon “Our church has adopted the model of a the school. She’s facilitated additional work at First Baptist, led members to refurbish missional church,” Prince said. “And part of days, which included weeding, landscaping, the baseball field. Church members being a missional church is going out into mulching and painting. contributed to a clothes closet filled with the community and being the presence of “Waynesville Middle School is where shirts, jeans and new underwear for Christ there. Our primary motivation in I spent the happiest years of teaching,” students that require an emergency change this partnership is to minister to the needs Pettigrew said. “Yet there were times when of clothes. A donated food pantry, with around us and embody Christ in that way.”

Read about other stories of faith sharing ministries by joining CBF’s Church Starts and Faith Sharing Community.

Go to www.thefellowship.info/missions to learn more or search for “CBF church starting/faith sharing” on Facebook to find the community’s page.

CBF’s eight mission communities help Fellowship Baptists share ideas and resources for ministry in specific areas.

Join a community and connect with others who share your passion.

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December 2011/January 2012

Pray Heart prayers

By Bo Prosser, CBF Coordinator for Missional Congregations

to your prayers. (See Psalm 37:4; Jeremiah 29:11-13) Next, be intentional about he average hupraying the prayer list as you keep man heart beats your hand over your heart. Pray about 72 times for each person as your heart a minute. A beats. Pray into the rhythm of Bo Prosser healthy heart is your heartbeat and mention each a must if we are to maintain a person on the list within that healthy body. Exercise and diet are the two rhythm. Continue holding your hand over main keys to maintaining a healthy heart your heart as you continue praying for the and a healthy body. How are you doing? life needs that are in your consciousness.

This month, as you pray, place your Now, add one more part to the prayer hand over your heart. Feel your life pulsing experience. Choose one of the names on the through your heart; sit still and be silent list for your prayer each day. Pray, “God bless for a minute or so. Be quiet and let your the heart of (say the name)…” And with the heart and your soul speak to God. Know next beat of your heart pray for specifics of that God knows your heart and your their work. Pray for their families, pray for desires and is ready to hear and respond the area where they work, pray for health and

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Prayer Calendar CH = Chaplain FP = Field Personnel FPC = Child of Field Personnel GMP = Global Missions Partner PC = Pastoral Counselor PLT = Church Planter

December 1 Tori Wentz, Fredericksburg, VA (FP) 2 Connie Madden, Kirkwood, MO (CH) 3 Rosemary Barfield, Jeffersonville, IN (CH); Ed Beddingfield, Fayetteville, NC (PC); Rachel Gunter Shapard, Jacksonville, FL (CH); James Heath, Dry Prong, LA (CH); Shane McNary, Slovakia (FP); Gennady Podgaisky, Ukraine (FP); Jim Tillman, Swansboro, NC (PLT); David Wilson, Chapel Hill, NC (CH) 4 — Jordan (FP); Jose Albovias, Louisville, KY (CH) 5 Chuck Gass, Gainesville, FL (CH); Kenn Lowther, Columbus, OH (CH); Chris O’Rear, Nashville, TN (PC); Judith Powell, Whiteville, NC (CH) 6 Mickael Eyraud, China (FP); John Norwood, Houston, TX (PLT) 7 Phil Hester, Emeritus (PLT); Ed Wilder, Jacksonville, FL (CH) 8 Tommy Deal, Orlando, FL (CH); Edward Erwin, Pensacola, FL (CH); Shane Gaster, Deland, FL (CH); Stephanie, Los Angeles, CA (FP); Donald Kriner, Canton, GA (CH); Robert Pitts, Greenville, MS (PLT) 9 Julie Brown, France (FP); Wayne Hyatt, Spartanburg, SC (PC) 10 Cecelia Beck, Shelby, NC (FP); James Williams, Montgomery, AL (CH) 13 Tom Cleary, Emeritus (FP); Rick Landon, Lexington, KY (PC); Scott Lee, Auburn, AL (CH); James Stillwell, Lexington, KY (PC); Robin Sullens, Dallas, TX (PC)

patience. Close your prayer time by another minute of sitting quietly, with your hand over your heart, feeling your life rich and blessed, in the presence of the living God!

Prayer guide now available for e-readers Prayers of the People, CBF’s year-long guide to prayer, joins prayer practices with hymns. Pray for field personnel and their children, chaplains, pastoral counselors, church planters and partner mission personnel. Prayers of the People is now available for Nook, Kindle, iPads and other e-readers. Go to www.thefellowship.info/pray to download or view online. You can also order a printed version by calling the CBF Store at (888) 801-4223.

14 Randy McDaniel, Floyd, VA (PLT); Maxine Moseley, Olive Branch, MS (CH)

16 Cayden Norman, 2000, Greece (FPC); Ina Winstead, Emeritus (FP)

30 Shay Crenshaw, Raleigh, NC (CH); Revonda Deal, Emeritus (FP); James Garrison, Arden, NC (CH); Kenneth Kelly, Black Mountain, NC (CH); Ramona Reynolds, Orlando, FL (CH); Lex Robertson, Spokane, WA (CH)

17 Perry Carroll, Anderson, SC (CH); Josh Smith, South Africa (FP); Ronald Wilson, Northport, AL (CH)

31 Nathaniel Newell, 1998, San Antonio, TX (FPC); Pamela Rains, Wynne, AR (CH)

16 Fran Graham, Asheville, NC (FP); Merrie Grace Harding, 1995, Orlando, FL (FPC); Jerry Hendrix, Abilene, TX (PLT); David Hormenoo, Durham, NC (CH); Mary Lynn Lewis, San Antonio, TX (CH); Michelle Smith, Fort Dix, NJ (CH); Jessica TogbaDoya, 2002, Athens, GA (FPC)

15 Anna Anderson, Scotland Neck, NC (FP); James Close, Louisville, KY (CH); Sheree Jones, Greensboro, NC (CH); Craig Cantrall, Louisville, KY (CH)

18 Joel DeFehr, Oklahoma City, OK (CH) 19 Anna-Grace Acker, 2005, Uganda (FPC); Joseph Alexander, Pfafftown, NC (CH); Bernard Morris, Chester, VA (CH); James Palmer, Pensacola, FL (CH); Harrison Roper, Hewitt, TX (CH) 20 Emily Jane Clark, 2008, Philippines (FPC); Larry Glover-Wetherington, Durham, NC (PC); Alan Willard, Blacksburg, VA (PC) 21 Bethany McLemore, Roanoke, VA (PC) 22 Chang Soon Lee, Southeast Asia (GMP); Sarah Wofford, Greenville, NC (CH)

15 Keith Ethridge, Yorktown, VA (CH); John Foxworth, El Paso, TX (CH); Dae Jun Kim, Asia (GMP)

January 1 Sam Bandela, Atlanta, GA (FP) 2 Gabriella Newell, 2002, San Antonio, TX (FPC); Jon Parks, Slovakia (FP); Tammy Stocks, Romania (FP); Jack Younts, Blythewood, SC (CH) 3 Christopher Bowers, Powhatan, VA (PC); Bill McCann, Madisonville, KY (CH); Meilyn Norman, 2001, Four Oaks, NC (FPC)

18 Jeanell Cox, Smithfield, NC (CH); Bill Cubine, Lousiville, KY (CH); Justin Nelson, Mt. Airy, NC (CH)

4 Joshua Hickman, Newnan, GA (CH); Richard Durham, Mount Pleasant, NC (CH)

23 Frances Brown, Surfside Beach, SC (PC); Robert Elkowitz, Cumming, GA (CH); Stephen Ivy, Indianapolis, IN (CH); Hal Lee, Clinton, MS (CH); Mary Lois Sanders, The Villages, FL (PLT); Linda Strange, Denton, TX (CH)

5 Charles Kirby, Hendersonville, NC (CH); Kevin Lynch, Spartanburg, SC (PC); Calvin McIver, Sacramento, CA (CH); Linda Serino, Memphis, TN (CH)

24 Michael Carter, Dallas, TX (CH); Phuc Luu, Houston, TX (CH); Bogdan Podgaisky, 1997, Ukraine (FPC)

8 Rachel Hill, Shelby, NC (CH); Gerard Howell, Lexington, KY (CH); Ethan Lee, 2009, Slovakia (FPC); Mee K. Lee, Philippines (GMP)

25 Taylor McNary, 1993, Slovakia (FPC)

9 Bill Cayard, China (FP); Paul Hamilton, Lodge, SC (CH); Patrick Moses, Mansfield, TX (PLT); Jonathan Myrick, 1994, Kenya (FPC); Bella Smith, 2010, South Africa (FPC)

26 Chang Kyun Park, Senegal (GMP); Scottie Stamper, Charlotte, NC (CH) 27 Larry Austin, Fredericksburg, VA (CH); Steve Clark, Louisville, KY (FP); Gail Davidson, Orlando, FL (CH)

17 Latha Bandela, Atlanta, GA (FP); Anjani Cole, Spain (FP); Donna Manning, Fort Worth, TX (CH); Aaron Norman, 2005, Greece (FPC); Glenn Norris, Sherwood, AR (CH); Neal Sasser, Suffolk, VA (CH)

6 Larry Hardin, Topeka, KS (CH)

19 Kaelah-Joy Acker, 2008, Uganda (FPC); Jackie Ward, Goshen, KY (CH) 20 Marcia Binkley, Uniontown, OH (FP); Marshall Gupton, Smyrna, TN (CH); Kevin Morgan, Brevard, NC (CH); Paul Tolbert, Clayton, NC (CH) 21 Jim King, Fort Belvoir, VA (CH)

7 Denny Spear, Dunwoody, GA (CH)

23 Richard Atkinson, Bastrop, TX (CH); Mark Williams, South Africa (FP) 25 Mich, New Jersey (FP); Kyong Sun Kim, Asia (GMP); Cynthia Levesque, China (FP); Chris Nagel, Houston, TX (CH) 26 Sandy Hale, Lebanon, NH (CH) 27 Darrell Bare, Boone, NC (CH); Ben Sandford, Camp Lejeune, NC (CH); Eric Smith, Willow Park, TX (CH)

10 Melody Harrell, Kenya (FP); Kenny Sherin, Columbia, MO (FP)

28 Jamie Ellis, Chattanooga, TN (CH); Claudia Forrest, Cordova, TN (CH); John Halbrook, Pound Ridge, NY (PC); Mitch Holbrook, Berea, KY (PC); Cynthia Jordan, Conover, NC (CH)

11 Chris Carson, Korea (CH); Ed Waldrop, Augusta, GA (CH)

28 Chuck Ahlemann, Des Moines, IA (CH)

12 Neil Cochran, Greenville, SC (CH); Larry Connelly, Decatur, GA (CH)

30 Hal Ritter, Waco, TX (PC)

29 Lon Cullen, Hoover, AL (CH); Maner Tyson, Waterbury, CT (FP); Art Wiggins, Triangle, VA (CH)

13 Dianne McNary, Slovakia (FP); George Pickle, Marietta, GA (CH)

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29 Darryl Jefferson, Charlotte, NC (CH) 31 Rebecca Andrews, Irving, TX (CH); John Manuel, Dupont, WA (CH); Paul Smith, Oakland, TN (CH)

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fellowship People

Preston Cooper

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ast year, CBF of Florida added a sixth district to its state — the Caribbean islands. Two churches in Puerto Rico and nine churches in the Bahamas officially partner with CBF of Florida, including St. Cleveland Baptist Church in Freetown, East Grand Bahama.

“My hope is that the church will indeed continue to seek to be the presence of Christ in the community,” said Preston Cooper, the bivocational pastor of St. Cleveland. “This partnership can only result in the ministry of St. Cleveland being taken to new heights.”

Cooper, who also works as a maintenance coordinator for a crude oil transshipment and storage facility, began serving as pastor of St. Cleveland

five years ago. Focusing on sharing Christ in its community, St. Cleveland Baptist began a housing ministry several years ago to help build homes for people in its community.

The congregation completed its first house last fall. For St. Cleveland Baptist, the Fellowship is a partnership that will globalize and thus expand the church’s ministries.

“Our members will be exposed to mission opportuniPreston Cooper ties around the world and will have the opportunity to fellowship with our brothers and sisters from the United States and wherever CBF churches are located,” said Cooper.

Jeanne Walker

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eanne Walker’s passion for missions began while she and her husband, Graham, served as laypeople in their church.

“As our knowledge of missions grew, we realized God was calling us to go,” Walker said.

So they followed their calling and moved their family to Singapore where they served for 28 years. But their work did not end when they moved back to the United States. In 2011, Walker received the first Cooperative Baptist Fellowship Advocate of the Year Award for her promotion of the Fellowship’s mission work. But, Walker clarifies that it is her home church, College Park Baptist Church in Orlando, Fla., that has

provided the avenues through which she is able to serve.

“I am grateful for this award, but my church should be the one to receive it,” Walker said.

College Park Baptist launched an integrated missions strategy two years ago, incorporating missions into worship and church programs year-round.

“When Christians really follow their hearts, they are Jeanne Walker very passionate for missions,” Walker said. “I hope the Fellowship will keep missions as our priority. Our global missions theme says it so well: ‘God’s mission ... your passion.’”

Eric Hasha

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n August 2011, Eric Hasha began serving as the youth minister at University Avenue Baptist Church in Honolulu, Hawaii. And he has learned that the churches of Hawaii reflect the very diverse Hawaiian culture. With so many people from different backgrounds and with unique perspectives, University Avenue Baptist celebrates the richness in culture that is represented in its congregation. But for Hasha, this dynamic is a little different from what he is used to on the mainland.

“I am learning how these cultures affect adolescents growing up in an American culture,” said Hasha, a native of Birmingham, Ala. “There is a lot of cultural expectation that adolescents have a hard time living up to. My hope for the community is for them to see the church as a

safe place where all kids and adolescents are loved and cared for.”

Hasha, a graduate of Baptist Theological Seminary at Richmond, previously served as one of CBF’s ministry residents. He spent two years working as a resident at Tabernacle Baptist Church in Richmond, Va., with the youth and young adult programs.

Eric Hasha “Being in a teaching congregation allowed me to try new things and learn from my failures,” Hasha said. “In my residency I helped build a youth ministry, and in many respects I am doing the same here.”

Rebecca Wiggs

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ebecca Wiggs says that retreats are not usually annual events on her calendar, but after spending a week at CBF’s Call to the Well retreat last spring, she plans to participate more frequently.

Call to the Well, held at Big Bend National Park in Marathon, Texas, provided participants such as Wiggs an opportunity for rest and renewal. Another retreat, Call to the Wilderness, is planned for April 9-12 at Big Bend Park.

“The beauty of the retreat was that we did not have a lot of activities or schedules to keep,” said Wiggs, an attorney in Jackson, Miss., member of CBF partner Northminster Baptist Church and

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former president of the CBF Foundation board. “It was motivational to have unconstructed days, allowing focus on the daily themes in our own ways.”

Wiggs said she appreciated being able to connect with other Christians — both clergy and lay people. And, the retreat helped her to rediscover daily communion with God. “The whole exercise reminded me to make time in Rebecca Wiggs each day, not just once a year, to focus in solitude on what God has to say today,” Wiggs said. “I think it helped all of us to re-set our boundaries upon re-entry to our usual lives.”

for dealing with conflict in your church

By Rick Bennett CBF Director of Missional Formation

Conflict is inevitable and, if you’re committed to a meaningful and longterm stay at any church (lay OR clergy), it is unRick Bennett avoidable. Conflict most often emerges when values and priorities clash or when people are vying for resources. It is exacerbated by poor communication — assumptions and perceptions and can become fatal when mismanaged or ignored. Contrary to popular belief, conflict can be cooperative and constructive — even meaningful. The Bible is a great place to learn about conflict — causes, effects and inappropriate, as well as ideal, attempts at resolution.

Like so many things in life, the key is what you do with or how you handle conflict. Here are some thoughts on dealing with conflict in a healthy way:

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Know thyself

Each of us operates a complex approach to conflict shaped by our family of origin.

It’s important that you know your story and allow it to inform your growth in both managing and resolving conflict. My own awareness of conflict style, management and resolution emerged as a participant in the Young Leader’s Program of the Center for Congregational Health, a CBF partner.

Unfortunately, I received this gift only after experiencing (and contributing to) considerable pain in my first church after graduating from seminary. With considerable hindsight, God used it for good. Knowing your own conflict history contributes to a healthy conflict approach.

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Be proactive

Given the inevitable nature of conflict, begin now building trust and rapport so that relationships can weather conflict when needed. Listen deeply to the stories people tell, discerning their style of managing and resolving conflict. Take note of avoidance, passive-aggres-

‘Each of us operates a complex approach to conflict.’ sive tendencies and family histories. Pay attention to body language so as to detect rifts early.

Cultivate the discipline of responding rather than reacting. Teach your students and members about conflict, leading them to pray for courage and humility to follow Jesus when it arises. Make “passing the peace” or a “holy kiss” a part of your meetings and gatherings. Conflict can be a dizzying hit-and-run experience; prepare.

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Go

Pay attention to your restlessness!

If you have contributed to or exacerbated a conflict, own it with the other party quickly, even if you are the only one inclined to own it. After processing with a more objective party, seek a timely resolution consistent with the Spirit’s leading. Don’t tarry. Try your best to be a less anxious presence. Communicate directly with the relevant persons; resist the temptation to talk loosely about the matter. Guard against demonizing individuals involved. Jesus said, “Settle matters quickly with your adversary.”

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Imagine what God can do Conflict is often a prelude to reconciliation and transformation.

The Bible declares that both are the vision and mission of God. Involve God in all of the above and, should you need to confront a person, approach with faith, hope and love. Consider how the reconciliation accessible to you contributes to God’s hope and dream for the world. Go with the aim of sharing the peace of Christ with a sister or brother.

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Move on

Unfortunately, not every conflict is within your power to resolve. If you are a person who requires complete and total resolution, join communities and engage relationships with great care and caution.

Ultimately, trust in the ministry and message of reconciliation; God through Christ has mysteriously and truly reconciled all things.

Seek faithfulness by doing what you can for peace and trust Christ to finish that which you must leave undone.

If your church is dealing with on-going conflict or facing challenges, CBF staff members and consultants can be a resource for your church.

Call the CBF Resource Center at (800) 352-874 to learn about available resources or schedule a speaker.

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Celebrating

Chauoki Boulos, center, prays with children during a Celebrate Jesus event in Egypt.

Jesus

Bouloses lead Christians into a new season of celebration in the Middle East

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n 1989, Lebanon was 14 years into a brutal civil war that left the capital city of Beirut in ruins. Fearing for their safety, Chaouki and Maha Boulos left their home in Lebanon and headed to the United States. But they knew that one day they would return.

Though the Bouloses worked closely with the Arab Christian community in the United States, their hearts were always tender for the Middle East. In July 2000, the Bouloses, along with a group of fellow Christians, returned to Beirut and debuted “Celebrate Jesus,” a five-night open-air celebration, complete with live music, testimonies, group and individual prayer and sermons.

“We knew that these celebrations would work well for Christians in Lebanon because we are free to express and practice our religion here, so we wanted to take every opportunity to share the message of Christ with as many people as possible,” said Maha.

Response to the mass evangelism celebration was overwhelmingly positive.

Churches of all denominations from across the city expressed their desire to participate.

So, in 2002, the Bouloses were commissioned as Cooperative Baptist Fellowship field personnel and in 2003, they moved back to Lebanon permanently. Today, they have relationships with many churches in Lebanon.

“The message of Christ is not one that is related to denominations or religious backgrounds,” Maha said. “The Lord’s message is offered to every person and that person has the choice of accepting or rejecting it. Our partnerships [with a variety of local faith

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leaders] have been helpful in bringing hundreds to the Lord, but all praise and glory goes to the Lord for His wonderful work.”

The Bouloses do not belong to any one church in Beirut — instead, they visit and build relationships with each of their partner churches on a regular basis, offering support and encouragement by volunteering, speaking, teaching and mentoring.

“Since we work with churches of many denominations, we try to stay involved with everyone equally,” Maha said.

Expanding the celebration

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Chaouki is the coordinator of every celebration, both inside and outside Lebanon. He plans the celebration events with a team of volunteers — often from partner churches — who have worked with him since the event’s inception.

Meet the Bouloses Hometown: Beirut, Lebanon Commissioned: 2003 Prior to being commissioned, the Bouloses lived in the Charlotte, N.C., area.

Maha worked for a campus ministry at UNC-Charlotte, and Chaouki received his master’s degree at Winthrop University.

Meaningful Scripture verse: “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall be shown mercy.” Matt. 5:7.

“Part of what we do is to show the Lord’s mercy to others. When you do ministry in a holistic way, you share God’s mercy and love with people and encourage them by assisting in removing the stresses and worry of daily life.” www.thefellowship.info/boulos

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At Celebrate Jesus rallies, dozens of individuals learn about Christ’s call on their life.

Working in partnership with churches in each country, “Celebrate Jesus” rallies have been held not only in Lebanon, but they have expanded into Egypt, Jordan and Syria as well. Often, thousands of people attend the celebrations, and hundreds have given their lives to Christ. The first young adult-focused celebration in Lebanon drew hundreds of young Christians together to worship.

“People have the freedom to express their opinions and share the gospel with anyone here,” said Maha. “In Matthew 28, the Lord asked us to go and tell people about him, so to us, evangelism is crucial.”

In 2001, James, a professor who taught at a university in Beirut, was invited to participate in a celebration. He reluctantly attended. At the end of the final night, he asked for someone from the team to pray for his right ear — he had completely lost the ability to hear in that ear. Several days later, James reported that he had miraculously regained his hearing.

“He returned the next year to give his powerful, emotional testimony and share with other believers what he had never thought possible,” Chaouki said.

More than 35 celebrations have been held since 2000 — two per year in Lebanon, and several in other Arab countries. Fellowship

churches have participated in conjunction with churches in several other denominations to provide support for the celebrations.

Becoming a hub for Jesus As their ministry has continued to grow, the Bouloses have felt called to develop a more established place for ministry. They decided to build a conference, refuge and training center — a place for people to gather and for the ministry to take root.

“We envisioned it being the host facility for both local and international conferences, sports camps for youth in the summer, and a place for training and leadership development,” Chaouki said.

With more than four years of prayer, sweat and support, the conference center — named White Wings — opened on Sept.

1. There are now two buildings with capacity to house 70 people and a campground that can hold an additional 100 people. The center is located in the mountains outside of Beirut, and once all building phases are complete, the campus will hold up to 500 people at one time.

Plans for the conference center include four cottage buildings, sports and recreation areas, and a group gathering facility.

Left, through preaching, which Chaouki often does at rallies, and the prayer and support of CBF partner churches, right, Christ is changing lives.

Churches will be able to hold annual conferences there, and organizations will be able to use the center for training purposes.

Groups will bring their own speakers.

“We praise the Lord for the many wonderful opportunities and for the open doors that we have encountered during the last 11 years to be able to talk about Him freely and publicly,” Maha said. “The hardest thing for the Lord’s people to do is evangelism. People enjoy going to Christian concerts, listening to praise music or going to leadership training because it’s easy for them. But evangelism is a challenge. Being committed and focused on reaching others and sharing Christ with them is a much harder endeavor. Many people prefer not to be bold about it.”

Supporting ministry in the Middle East In 2006, a “Celebrate Jesus” event ended early, as attendees quickly

Give

evacuated because of escalating violence.

Thousands of Lebanese families were displaced as a result of the violence, and the Bouloses coordinated with their network of partner churches in Lebanon to funnel aid from CBF to those people in greatest need.

The Bouloses continue to minister among people living in poverty in Lebanon.

Working with partners in Lebanon and with partner churches in the United States, they prepare food packages for Lebanon’s poverty-stricken population. They have also started an after-school program, and Maha coordinates a women’s Bible study and a prayer gathering each week in a poor neighborhood of Beirut.

Fellowship Baptists are also involved in the Bouloses’ ministry through short-term mission trips, where teams lead Vacation Bible School, sports camps and prayer walks throughout Beirut. Ministry groups

who visit Lebanon will now be housed at White Wings.

“It’s so refreshing when we have groups who commit to supporting our ministry efforts here,” Maha said. “Any work that we can do to reach out and minister to the community means that more people will hear about Jesus Christ.”

The Bouloses’ ministry is funded through the gifts of Fellowship Baptists to the CBF Offering for Global Missions.

The CBF Offering funds their salary and ministry expenses, enabling them continue spreading the message of Christ’s love.

“The message of Christ is that of love and peace, and we pray that everyone would come to know the Lord Jesus and experience His love and peace,” Maha said.

“Our plan is to continue sharing the Lord’s message as long as we can.”

By contributing writer Lelia King

The CBF Offering for Global Missions funds CBF field personnel such as Chaouki and Maha Boulos. Your gifts to the CBF Offering help both send them to the mission field and keep them there so they can share Christ. This year it will take nearly $5 million to fund these life-changing ministries, and field personnel need your help.

To give, use the envelope included in this issue or go to www.thefellowship.info/give.

To learn more about the CBF Offering or about resources for promoting it in your church, go to www.thefellowship.info/ogm or contact CBF staff member Lance Wallace at lwallace@thefellowship.info. fellowship!

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Hearing the story for the first time CBF field personnel help to usher in period of growth for churches in China

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undreds of people flock to the church, in hopes of getting a seat before the pageant begins.

They cram into every pew, share every available chair and fill any remaining standing room, even spilling out into the parking lot.

It’s Christmas Day at Thanksgiving Church in the city of Chengdu, located in Sichuan province in China. The church, located on the top floor of a small neighborhood building, has been decorated with strands of red and silver tinsel lining the walls. Glittered cardboard Chinese symbols brand the stage area, depicting traditional Christmas characters including some snowmen and Santa’s elves. The lights dim. Music and dancing fill the room as the elaborate production begins.

Though most Chinese citizens have learned about Christmas in school and

have seen the holiday depicted in movies, many do not know the meaning behind the holiday — which is why they’ve come seeking answers. Many will hear the story of Jesus Christ for the first time.

“Christmas is not a public holiday in China, so many Chinese have no idea what Christianity is really about,” said Bill Cayard, one of CBF’s field personnel who, along with his wife Michelle, help train future church leaders in Chengdu. “It’s a great opportunity for Chinese Christian churches to communicate what the gospel means and why it’s important to understand the good news.”

Beneath the theatrics, the Christmas pageant is first and foremost an opportunity for the leaders of Thanksgiving Church to share the gospel with their local community.

Not a Sunday goes by when the Cayards aren’t presenting “Gospel 101” in Bible

studies or training classes. They teach an English language class each Sunday, which consistently packs 20 or more people into a tiny side room at Thanksgiving Church.

“Every seat in the morning service is taken, often with people standing in the back, so we joined the recently started afternoon service,” said Michelle.

The Cayards helped start Thanksgiving Church, which is registered with the Chinese government. Led by a young Chinese couple that graduated from the local Bible college, the church opened its doors in September 2007 with approximately 30 people in attendance. Today, more than 350 people attend consistently. Since there are very few legally registered Christian churches in Chengdu, interest in the church and in Christianity continues to grow.

Partnering with Chinese Christians in church planting is one of the Cayards’

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Thanksgiving Church started in 2007 with 30 people.

Today, more than 350 attend regularly.

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“Christmas is not a public holiday in China, so many Chinese have no idea what Christianity is really about.”

Ken, right, feels called to start a church in Chengdu. Currently, he serves as a pastoral intern at Thanksgiving Church and is attending seminary with sponsorship from Central Baptist Church in Newnan, Ga.

primary jobs in Chengdu, along with helping to teach future pastors and lay leaders about the Bible and about leading churches.

As CBF field personnel, they work solely with Christian churches that have been registered with the Chinese government — the only legal expression of Christianity in the country. The Chinese churches are nondenominational and are led by ordained Chinese pastors.

Several years ago while teaching a community English class, the Cayards met a young seminary student named Ken. They connected Ken with Central Baptist Church in Newnan, Ga. — a community that had made a multi-year commitment to sponsor five seminary students in Chengdu each year.

“It makes a huge impact when churches commit long-term to support students or Chinese churches in particular,” Michelle said.

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Ken, who is in his late twenties and is married with a two-year-old son, has attended Thanksgiving Church since its inception. His vision is to start a new church in Chengdu. Now he is serving as a pastoral intern and has started a mid-week Bible study in another part of the city in hopes that the community will grow into a new church as well. It takes about a year to gather the resources, identify a meeting space and go through the process to apply to become a new church.

“Ken is a good friend, and we’ve enjoyed watching him go through seminary and now practice ministry full-time at the church,” Michelle said. “This is the reason we are here, to see the church grow and prosper.”

Ken was the first student that Central Baptist Church sponsored. They sponsor five to six students each year, including two

women who will graduate this year and serve churches in Sichuan province.

“Our ministry is relational. We’ve been working with Ken on his English for two hours per week in our home,” Michelle said.

“He brings his family, and we read through the gospel of Mark together.”

The excitement about Christ’s message of hope extends far beyond the city of Chengdu. Several weeks ago, the Cayards traveled several hours away to Sichuan’s far northeast for a sanctuary dedication ceremony.

“We are so blessed to be able to do this ministry full-time,” Michelle said. “The passion and excitement that Chinese Christians have is infectious — not only during the Christmas season, but every day.”

By contributing writer Lelia King

The CBF Offering for Global Missions funds CBF field personnel such as Bill and Michelle Cayard.

Your gifts to the CBF Offering help both send them to the mission field and keep them there so they can share Christ. “The CBF Offering for Global Missions gives us the opportunity to form relationships that are meaningful and will have an impact long after we’re gone,” said Michelle.

To give, use the envelope included in this issue or go to www.thefellowship.info/give. fellowship!

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‘Christ is present in all cultures’ CBF field personnel share the good news through art, music

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Photo Courtesy of the baileys

or almost 15 years, CBF field perthat the Christian world is not just the with her. The man began to tell Tina about sonnel Jonathan and Tina Bailey Western world, but that Christ is present in his three daughters and how he knows the have served in Bali, where art has all cultures. time will come when they, too, will also become their way of being the “The Hindu, Muslim, even non-Western leave home. presence of Christ in the community. For Christian may be open to hearing the In Balinese culture, when young women the Baileys, art is a way to connect with story when cultural biases are intentionally marry, their family allegiances change. As their community. lifted,” Jonathan said. they marry, they participate in a ceremony “Bali lives and breathes art. Art is not a Art also opens the doors to building where the young woman symbolically luxury here, it’s a way of life,” said Tina. relationships with people in the commuleaves behind her birth family and her obliThe Baileys did not come to Bali to benity. Recently, at a local arts exhibition, gations to them as she becomes a daughter gin an arts ministry. Yet, because they are Tina exhibited a watercolor piece “Leaving of her husband’s family. As Tina and the both artists, the ministry grew out of their Home.” As she was showing the piece, a man talked about the painting, a door was giftedness and callings. It also grew out of Balinese man stopped to tell her how he opened for a conversation about the status the needs they recognized in South Bali, was touched by the painting. Tina told him of women in Balinese culture. where people from different places and difthe painting was a reflection on the way “The role of arts is a prophetic voice ferent faiths often do not find space to talk she was able to leave home because she was within our society,” says Jonathan. “Our to one another. Art brings them together. loved and empowered by her father. She ministry is about raising issues through art.”

“With art, people find that they are more told the man that now, even though she alike than different,” said Tina. is far away from home, her father’s love is By contributing writer Melissa Browning Although Christianity is a minority religion in Bali, it is still recognized by the government and Christmas is a national holiday. The Baileys have worked with local artists — both Christian and Hindu — to create dances that reflect pieces of the Christmas story. In one dance, Tina, a ballerina by training, dances the story of the Magnificat. Two other dances by Balinese performers celebrate the shepherds and Gabriel’s journey to Mary. In these and other performances, inspirations from Balinese culture are used to contextualize Christian stories.

In the Baileys’ church in Bali, there is a couple from India — the wife is Christian and her husband is Hindu. The Balinese performances of Christian sacred texts have become especially meaningful to them both. They told the Baileys that Tina Bailey, one of CBF’s field personnel, communicates the gospel through art, dance and building relationships in Bali. the performances reminded them

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The Baileys’ work in Bali is funded by the CBF Offering for Global Missions. The gifts of Fellowship Baptists to the CBF Offering enable the Baileys to be the presence of Christ through art and music. Please give and enable the life-changing ministries of CBF field personnel. To give, go to www.thefellowship.info/give or use the envelope provided in this issue.

December 2011/January 2012

Opportunities to

Missions Education Resource How to use this page

December 2011

The suggestions below will be helpful for using the stories on pages 10-16 of this issue in the life of your church. Small Group interaction, Study Group or Reading Group options are given, as well as suggestions for other congregational or family settings. Go online to www.thefellowship.info/affectonline for more suggestions.

Sharing the gospel

In Small Groups:

The following is an outline for adult mission groups, Bible study classes or other small groups. Share copies of fellowship! with group members prior to the meeting and have some extra copies available. These suggestions are for a 45-minute time frame.

1. Before the meeting, the group facilitator should research the Christian populations of Lebanon, Egypt, Jordan and Syria (www.operationworld.org) and locate the closest local church that worships in Arabic. Also, gather a Bible, world map and extra copies of the fellowship! magazine (an online option can be found at www.thefellowship.info/fellowship).

2. As the meeting opens, share with group participants that after 11 years in the United States, Chaouki and Maha Boulos returned home to Lebanon to work with the diverse Christian community there. They plan large open-air events that allow believers from many backgrounds to celebrate their common faith.

3. If participants have not already read the story of the Bouloses, allow several minutes for them to scan the article on pages 10-13. Then use the following questions to guide your discussion. As you begin the discussion, take a moment to point out Lebanon and surrounding countries on a world map. Do not assume that everyone knows geography.

Does it surprise you that these “Celebrate Jesus” events have happened all over the Middle East? What do you know about the Christian populations of Lebanon, Egypt, Jordan and Syria? Read Acts 2:5-11. How long have there been Arabs who followed Christ? Are there any Arabic-language churches in your city or state?

The Bouloses choose not to belong to any one particular church. Why? Is this something that is particularly valuable in parts of the world in which Christians

At Home with Family 1. Before the family gathers, someone should choose a favorite children’s book and bring it to the table. You will also need a Bible or Bible storybook, a world map and a map of China.

2. Answer these questions: What is/was your favorite book or story as a child?

What makes it special? Take time to read a family favorite.

What is/was your favorite Bible story? Why? 3. Tell the Christmas story around the table. One person will start at the beginning and tell one part of the story. Then the next person will take it from there, continuing until the entire story is told. Ask: Does anyone remember when he or she heard that story for the first time?

4. Find China, Sichuan province and the city of Chengdu on the maps.

5. Say: Bill and Michelle Cayard work with Thanksgiving Church in Chengdu. At Christmas they are able to tell the story of the birth of Jesus to many people for the first time. Imagine that you are sitting in Thanksgiving Church hearing

are a minority? Would there also be value in other contexts? When was the last time you visited a church of a different denomination? Why did you go?

What was your experience like?

“Celebrate Jesus” events bring Arab Christians from different backgrounds together for worship and fellowship. What events bring Christians in your communities together? Think about those who participate.

Are any denominations or cultural groups left out?

What might be done to include them in the future?

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Cooperative baptiSt fellowShip | www.thefellowShip.info

Learn more about the Bouloses’ ministry on pages 10-13.

Celebrate Jesus

A major focus for these large gatherings is evangelism. Many Christians have seen evangelism done in such offensive ways that they tend to avoid the practice.

What light does the story of James the professor provide? What are the best practices of evangelism you know about? How might a church practice them?

4. Pray for the Bouloses as they minister in a region that can be volatile. Pray especially for their ministry among Lebanese people who are poor. Pray also for their ministries to expand due to the new conference center, White Wings. Pray that as believers gather across the Middle East to celebrate Jesus, their faith would be strengthened.

You may also choose to use the Prayer Calendar on page 7 to pray for other CBF field personnel, church starters and endorsed chaplains and pastoral counselors.

this new story. What do you think might surprise you? Who would you consider to be the heroes of the story? What questions would you have when it’s over?

6. Say: Part of the Cayards’ work is to help train lay leaders and pastors, who will then start new churches. What does someone need to know to work in a church?

How do they learn it? Name some of the ministers and lay leaders in your own church. What does each person contribute to the ministry of the church?

7. Pray for Thanksgiving Church as it tells the Christmas story to many people.

Pray for the Cayards and all the leaders they serve alongside. Consider whom your family might invite to share in your Christmas celebration this year.

In Reading Groups In Palace Walk, Egyptian author Naguib Mahfouz invites readers to follow a Muslim family through their daily life in post-World War I Egypt. The characters come to life through rich and provocative descriptions of their lives.

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Fellowship Baptists continue long-term partnerships, ministry after earthquake

Helping Haiti rebuild With yearly brushes by hurricanes strengthened in the warm Caribbean waters that surround the country, political instability and constant health crises, Haiti is a country familiar to international relief agencies.

But when the relative peace of the morning of Jan. 10, 2010, was shattered by the worst regional earthquake in more than 200 years, Haiti was completely devastated. The death toll was estimated between 200,000 and 250,000 (although the Haitian government revised the estimate to 316,000 in 2011) and the Inter-American Development Bank estimated the total cost of the disaster between $8 billion and $14 billion.

Almost immediately, Fellowship Baptists became involved in

relief efforts, and to date, more than $680,000 has been contributed by Fellowship Baptists.

In the first four months, Fellowship churches collected and shipped medical supplies to both Cap Haïtien and Grand Goâve — 12 flights carrying more than four tons of supplies.

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Adequate housing is still a great need in Haiti.

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CBF Haiti Network of Partners • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Haitian Baptist Convention American Baptist Churches USA Conscience International Australian Baptist Aid Baptist General Convention of Texas Baptist World Alliance BMS-UK Echoes Inc. UK Mercer University CBM (Canada) Hungarian Baptist Aid Virginia Baptist Belmont University Florista and Edge

Grand Goâve — The village of Grand Goâve is located along the northern coast of the southern peninsula of Haiti, about 35 miles west from the capital of Port-auPrince, where the earthquake of Jan. 10, 2010, was centered.

Fellowship Baptists focused relief efforts and aid in Grand Goâve area after consulting with the Haitian Baptist Convention. CBF representatives Brenda and Mike Harwood and CBF field personnel Nancy and Steve James and Jenny Jenkins work alongside already established churches and communities to assist their rebuilding and transformational efforts.

CUBA JAMAICA

In the past two years, CBF has partnered with 14 organizations and international relief agencies to help rebuild Haiti, including a strategic partnership with the Haitian Baptist Convention. And more than 40 CBF partner churches have sent construction teams to Grand Goâve to help with the rebuilding efforts there.

Rob Nash, CBF Coordinator of Global Missions, traveled to Haiti in the fall and reported that thanks to the help of many, tremendous progress had been made in the past two years.

“A number of partners have joined us in our response, including American Baptist Churches USA, Conscience International, the Baptist General Convention of Texas, Mercer

Grand Goâve

“Rather than attempt to do a big response in many places, we focused our efforts in Grand Goâve because of the strength HAITI DOM. REP. of the local church here,” said Steve James.

University and a host of others,” Nash said. “We are grateful for this collaborative effort in which we draw upon each of our strengths to truly make a difference in Grand Goâve.”

CBF’s work is focused in these main areas: • Long-term rebuilding including housing, churches and schools • Medical assistance • People empowerment Spearheading these efforts at this time are Brenda and Mike Harwood, CBF representatives, who are focused on rebuilding, establishing partnerships, empowerment and other activities, and Jenny Jenkins, one of CBF’s field personnel who focuses her ministry on medical and health interventions.

More than 40 CBF partner churches have sent mission teams to work construction and lead activities among children.

Members of Temple Baptist Church worship in the church’s courtyard after the building was damaged by the earthquake.

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ministries Called Harwoods facilitate in Grand Goâve to Haiti

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fter the earth stopped trembling in Haiti, the shock waves moved out across the world. The news reports and videos moved people to action.

“When the earthquake first happened and you see the footage on television, either you feel compelled to do something or you

don’t,” said Roxanne Raymond, who traveled to Haiti last summer from Albany, Texas. “I knew that God was calling me to help. Now it didn’t happen right away. I had to wait a year and a half before I could go, but when it was announced in our church, I was one of the first people to sign up because I knew God was calling me.”

When the earthquake happened, Brenda

and Mike Harwood were coping with a personal crisis that they say God used to take them to Haiti.

“At the time of the earthquake, Mike had lost his job and was dealing with the prospects of being unemployed. We had no idea we’d wind up in the missionary field,” Brenda said.

“It was a huge blow to my self-esteem,” Mike said. “Anyone who has lost a job will

Photo courtesy of First Baptist

Members of First Baptist Church of Albany, Texas, helped conduct medical clinics and worked on three rubble houses and construction projects with the Siloë School.

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serve

him. Every day when school is over at Siloë, Maxi works as quickly as he can to complete his eighth grade homework, then races over to work with the Haiti Housing Network or volunteers for any opportunity to work with short-term mission teams.

“Maxi has an excellent work ethic, he sees the allure of Mike Harwood first traveled to Haiti on a short-term mission trip with his money and would church, North Stuart Baptist Church, Fla. Now, he and his wife, Brenda, love the chance to serve in Haiti full-time. work all day on the rubble houses,” Harwood said. “He’s been the church to do the construction,” Mike blessed to be sponsored by an American said. “Because Temple Baptist has three church family to attend Siloë, and he knows satellite churches, we have used members of that only through education will he be able those churches. We think it’s important that to better himself.” the church community feel as much a part Other students at Siloë include Erod and of this project as possible.”

Jean-Paul, but their home is in the mounDuring her nearly three week mission tains 90 minutes away by truck or hours trip to Haiti last summer, Raymond said on foot. So the two boys built themselves a she witnessed the resiliency of the Haishack close to the river where they live dur- tian people and their commitment to the ing the week so they can attend the school, next generation. then they return to their home each week“I saw parents who would go without eatend to be with their families. ing to make sure their kids can go to Siloë Last year, 330 students completed the School and get a good education,” she said. school year, and work was completed on the Once work is completed on the school, classroom portion of the structure. Through leaders want to turn their attention to rebuildthe summer and into fall, work crews were ing the church. Most of the remaining buildracing to complete the administration ing was demolished last spring. With one building before classes began in October. wall still standing and sturdy, workers used When completed, the school will accompart of the church’s tin roof as a covering and modate at least 600 students. Because it is a installed tarps down two sides so members tuition-based private school, it will also help could continue worshipping in the courtyard. the economy of the community.

Currently fundraising is the top priorBesides Moise Louis Jean, the project ity so that workers can begin the church manager and a church member, there are building as soon as school construction is normally three foreman and seven or eight complete. The Baptist General Convention laborers working on the school every day. At of Texas and CBF have pledged money for the peak of construction, when workers were the project, which will cost an estimated installing stucco to the outside, there were as $85,000 to $100,000. many as six foremen and up to 12 laborers.

“We started out using only members of By contributing writer Bob Perkins Jr. CBF photo

understand this. The depth of the emotional swings, the questions and the doubt someone has in this position.”

Instead of sitting home, Mike was encouraged by their church, North Stuart Baptist Church in North Stuart, Fla., to go on a mission trip to Haiti. Mike said the trip, along with a speech he heard given by Rob Nash, CBF coordinator of Global Missions, helped convince him that he and his wife should serve in the mission field. It was God who sent them to Haiti, through CBF. “It was quite an experience,” he said. “I felt the Lord was calling me within three or four days of that first trip. God works in our lives every minute of every day whether we recognize it or not.”

The Harwoods now are spear-heading CBF’s relief efforts in Grand Goâve, which include coordinating the rebuilding of a Christian school and hopefully a church, a microenterprise effort to form savings and credit groups, and a farming initiative teaching sustainability and soil conservation to Haitian farmers. They are also involved with the Haiti Housing Network’s partnership to build 1,000 rubble houses.

The earthquake heavily damaged the town of Grand Goâve, located approximately 35 miles east of Port-au-Prince. The buildings of Temple Baptist Church and Siloë School, which is a ministry of the church, were heavily damaged and deemed unsafe to use.

“When CBF went into Haiti to assist after the earthquake, our goal was to find people and groups who wanted partners to work alongside, rather than groups that were willing to allow aid organizations do everything,” Mike said. “The leadership of Temple Baptist Church recognizes the importance of education and wanted the school rebuilt first.”

At the time of the earthquake, approximately 350 students attended Siloë School.

Mike said while the Haitian government is supposed to provide education for all children, the reality is there are not enough schools, especially in the wake of the earthquake.

Maxi enjoys school, but working on the rubble houses has a strong attraction for

To serve in Haiti, contact CBF staff member Chris Boltin at engage@thefellowship.info. The Fellowship will match the skills and resources of Fellowship Baptists with on-site needs. Learn more at www.thefellowship.info/serve. fellowship!

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‘God keeps providing’

CBF field personnel provide medical care through mobile clinics

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t a clinic in Norgaisse, a village in the remote mountains near Grand Goâve, Jenny Jenkins was working with a medical

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Jenny Jenkins, left, a registered nurse, works to set up mobile clinics in Haiti.

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team at a mobile clinic in a church. It was a stifling hot day when a woman walked into the church with a blanket draped around her. The medical workers were immediately drawn to her and found she

was carrying a very ill baby.

“He was four days old and extremely dehydrated and malnourished,” said Jenkins, one of CBF’s field personnel. “His mother was mentally challenged and didn’t know how to care for him. The woman carrying him in a blanket was his aunt and the only thing she had to give him was water.”

Jenkins said she helped try to feed the baby liquid by syringe to help with rehydration, but there was no formula in the church or the village. Doctors feared the baby boy was within a few hours of dying.

“When it seemed the most desperate, we couldn’t find formula and knew he needed to be fed immediately. All we could do was pray,” said Jenkins. “And about that moment, his mother entered the church, dancing and twirling.”

Eventually, the medical team was able to obtain milk from the mother and feed it by syringe to the baby.

“It was one of the happiest cries I ever heard,” Jenkins said and reports that baby Woodley is healthy and celebrated his first birthday in October.

Jenkins, a registered nurse, began the process of preparing to serve in Haiti a year before the earthquake. Her passion is health education and developing sustainable programs. In 2010, she joined the medical team in Grand Goâve led by CBF field personnel Nancy and Steve James, who first began work in Haiti in 1987.

The James spent 13 years in Haiti as American Baptist Church medical missionaries.In 2005, they were commissioned by CBF to return specifically to work in rural health clinics and help establish more services for the underserved.

While estimates are that 120,000 live in Grand Goâve, less than 20,000 live in the village itself. Most live in rural areas, up in the mountain in villages like Norgaisse, and

as many as 70,000 have no access to health care. A typical day for CBF field personnel involves traveling to an established clinic outside Grand Goâve or taking a medical team to a church to set up a mobile clinic.

“Many folks we see walk up to an hour just to get to the mobile clinic,” Jenkins said. “Many have never been to a doctor, and couldn’t make it to the village or the nearest hospital.”

Junior and Daniel are two Haitians who assist Jenkins translating in the clinic.

During the deadly cholera outbreak in 2010, both played a key role in educating people about the disease and how to avoid future outbreaks.

At the time of the outbreak, Jenkins said a medical team from Virginia was in Haiti, providing public health education material, which was translated into Creole, the native language of Haiti. Almost immediately, the group, with the help of Junior and Daniel, began educating citizens about good hygiene, finding and maintaining clean water sources and what to do if someone in their family gets sick.

After most of the people in the immediate area had been educated, Junior and Daniel asked Jenny if they could continue teaching.

“They asked if they could go out on their own to these tiny private schools in the more rural areas to share the information,” Jenkins said. “They performed skits and sang songs, teaching the children of their own initiative.

As Haitians, they were able to go places and reach people we wouldn’t have been able to.”

“God is doing amazing things in this country,” Jenkins said. “I’m blown away by the things I see people doing, taking the initiative and helping others.”

Steve James said the key to long-term progress is getting Haitians to take ownership of initiatives and sustain them long after field personnel have left.

“We’re committed to fostering a grass roots movement to encourage Haitians to take ownership,” he said. “Developing the mobile clinic has been a major initiative for Jenny. We pray that God will bless the

give

effort and lead Haitians to take more permanent roles in providing health care for their neighbors.”

At an early planning meeting conducted at Temple Baptist Church for the mobile clinic, Jenkins said she was hopeful to find nursing students and others who might be willing and able to work, and identify others who were willing but needed training.

What she found surprised and blessed her.

“One young woman, Daniela Etinne, raised her hand and said she had gone to school and gotten her medical lab technician certificate. But she said she couldn’t find work after the earthquake, so she was volunteering in a nearby hospital,” Jenkins said.

Lab technicians are vital for running blood work and other diagnostic testing to help medical professionals better diagnose and treat illness. Jenkins said she expected to have to train someone to do this and raise funding for the education and certification.

“When Daniela told us she was already certified, it was mind blowing,” Jenkins said.

“It was like God provided us what we need-

ed, without us asking specifically for that.”

Five other church members are in the process of getting nursing training, and a group of nursing students from Belmont University plan to travel to Haiti in the spring to conduct a shadowing program to enrich the training of Haitian students.

“The faith of the Haitians is so basic and simple …they believe that God really will provide for them,” she said. “Now it might not be the way that they expected, but in the course of these last two years, God keeps providing for them, and it’s cool to be a part of it.”

By contributing writer Bob Perkins Jr.

CBF field personnel Nancy and Steve James work with rural health clinics in Haiti, helping to establish medical services for the underserved.

To give to the ongoing relief efforts in Haiti go online to www.thefellowship.info/give or use the envelope provided in this issue, indicating fund No. 17015 “Haiti Response” in the memo line. fellowship!

December 2011/January 2012

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Haiti Housing uses earthquake rubble Network to build homes

T

here are an estimated 600,000 people still living in tents and displacement camps in Haiti.

To address this crisis, CBF helped create the Haiti Housing Network with ABC-USA, Conscience International, the Fuller Center for Housing, the BGCT and a host of international agencies that have made financial contributions.

The partners created a concept called a rubble house, utilizing the rubble and debris from homes and buildings demolished by the earthquake. Conscience International worked with an Atlanta architect on the design, which uses wire and mesh baskets. Rubble is collected and put into the baskets to create the outer walls of the 20-by-14-foot homes.

Each house costs about $4,200 to build and the goal is to construct 1,000 rubble homes in the Grand Goâve area.

CBF photo

As of September 2011, 40 homes had been built and delivered to new owners, with another six underway. Three teams of Haitians are working on the project, many times with help from the soon-to-be new homeowners.

“Soon, we hope to increase the Each house features two doors, two windows, skylight, two small patios and an number of houses open ventilation design, which are characteristic of Haitian dwellings. completed each week,” said Mike Harwood, a CBF represen- of people living in tents in Grand Goâve tative to Haiti. “But there are still thousands and we’d like to build them all homes.”

Self-help groups grow into small businesses, empower Haitians Based on a successful financial empowerment

group and on-time attendance is mandatory.

The groups meet once a week and establish a

tion, members have the opportunity to learn business

in Haiti are helping to create self-help groups, which

savings project. Collectively, they decide how much

skills, such as the banking process and other aspects

invest in local communities and empower Haitians.

each member will save and bring to the next meet-

of small businesses.

In order to learn how groups function, four Haitian

ing — usually about 25 cents per member — and it’s

civic leaders traveled to Ethiopia in 2010. After their

recorded. After a few weeks of collecting money, the

bank, these groups help people avoid loan sharks and

return, the leaders met and conducted facilitator

group decides on goals and investment opportunities.

predatory lending. The groups can also help improve

training for potential group leaders, and in August, the

For example, the group might decide to purchase a

family unit relationships, giving women access to

first group meetings were held in Grand Goâve, Port-

pig, take it to market, sell it for a profit and return the

family budgets.

au-Prince and Cape Haïtien.

money to the group.

“The important first step was how these leaders

“After a short period, the group can collect a

For many Haitians, who have never gone to a

“Hopefully, even if we don’t have a constant presence in Haiti, the groups can continue for years or

took this idea and turned it into a Haitian model —

significant amount of money and make great impact,”

decades if they develop these relationships of trust,”

not everything they do in Ethiopia would work here,”

said Mike. “For example if a group member or com-

said David Harding, CBF’s international disaster re-

said Mike Harwood, a CBF representative to Haiti who

munity resident has skills and needs to borrow money

sponse coordinator, who has worked with groups in

helps facilitate the groups.

to open up a barber or hair-dresser shop, the group

Africa. “It is not a quick fix, like a handout. It’s dealing

For example, the Haitian groups may include both

could decide to loan that person money to purchase a

with people in their own context, helping them to take

men and women (they are only women in Africa). They

chair and supplies and set the terms for repayment.”

the next steps to self-dependency. Our job is to help

also established specific guidelines. For example, family members should not be included in the same

learn 24

the group and learn to make presentations. In addi-

model from Africa, Fellowship Baptists and partners

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fellowship!

Each group member becomes “speaker” for the week, giving them the experience to speak in front of

them understand that God does truly love you and you can do things for yourself.”

Learn more about the Haiti Housing Network and how you can be involved at www.haitihousingnetwork.com.

December 2011/January 2012

Opportunities to

Missions Education Resource How to use this page

January 2012

The suggestions below will be helpful for using the stories on pages 18-24 of this issue in the life of your church. Small Group interaction, Study Group or Reading Group options are given, as well as suggestions for other congregational or family settings. Go online to www.thefellowship.info/affectonline for more suggestions.

Helping Haiti rebuild

In Small Groups: The following is an outline for adult mission groups, Bible study classes or other small groups. Share copies of fellowship! with group members prior to the meeting and have some extra copies available. These suggestions are for a 45-minute time frame.

1. Before the small group meeting, the facilitator should assign three people to read one (each) of the stories in fellowship! magazine about Haiti.

2. During the small group meeting, share that after the devastating earthquake in Haiti in 2010, many relief organizations arrived and got busy working. CBF was there as well, but with the purpose of looking for Haitians to work alongside.

The locals have been the ones to set priorities ever since.

3. Invite each of the previously solicited individuals to share one of the three stories from Haiti.

4. Invite discussion of this question: When faced with the overwhelming problems left by an earthquake, how can people possibly set priorities?

• One answer might be the skills of the group. Take a survey of the people present in your group. What skills or experience do they have that could contribute to the rebuilding of a place like Haiti?

• Another answer might be the resources required to complete a task. Are the supplies available to re-build part of the infrastructure or to open a medical clinic?

On Wednesday Night 1. Before the meeting, the facilitator should gather butcher paper and markers and place the paper on walls or tables. Invite the youth group to read the story “God Keeps Providing” on pages 22-23 of fellowship! Select individuals who will read the story to the larger community one paragraph at a time, alternating until the entire story is read.

2. As people enter the room, invite them to list one or more church ministries on the butcher paper. Provide prompts, if necessary, to get as complete a list as possible.

3. Invite people to listen to the story, “God Keeps Providing,” as read by the youth.

4. Say: The life of baby Woodley was saved by the presence of the mobile clinic.

In the book of Ezekiel, the Israelites living in exile learned that the throne of God is mobile. God was with them even when they were far from Jerusalem. What about the church that follows a mobile God? How mobile should the church be?

5. Take a look at the list of church ministries. Ask: How many of these ministries take place in the church building? How many take place elsewhere? What are

If the people or material resources are not there, how is it possible to move forward? Partnership.

More than 40 Fellowship churches have sent teams to join with more than 15 organizations to pool resources for the rebuilding of Haiti.

fellowship!

CBF

Cooperative baptiSt fellowShip | www.thefellowShip.info

Serving Christians and churches as they discover and fulfill their God-given mission

Learn more about the Bouloses’ ministry on pages 10-13.

5. Discuss this quote by Clarence Jordan: What the poor need is co-workers, not caseworkers; capital, not charity. Is it only the poor who need Celebrate Jesus co-workers? What might happen in your church and community if Christians found more and better ways to work together? Spend a few minutes dreaming of the possibilities. What could you do to make the dream a reality?

6. Conclude with prayer for the ongoing rebuilding of Haiti. Pray for strength for all those who are partnering together for the long-term. Pray for a spirit of openness and humility in yourself and your church to be “co-workers, not caseworkers.”

Pray also for others listed on this month’s Prayer Calendar on page 7.

In Reading Groups Paul Farmer, a medical doctor, is one of the world’s foremost humanitarians. Haiti After the Earthquake allows readers a unique look at the immediate impact of the 2010 earthquake from the perspective of someone who has deep roots in Haiti.

some creative ways other ministries might become mobile, giving more people in the community a chance to benefit from them? How else might church members be ministers of grace outside the walls of the church? (Allow time for discussion.)

6. Thank God for the work of CBF field personnel Jenny Jenkins and Nancy and Steve James. Pray for the ministry of mobile medical clinics in Haiti. Pray that the churches in your community will become more mobile in the months to come.

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Investment in

young Baptists pays dividends

Liz Findley, Student.Go Liz Findley would tell you to be careful about going on a church mission trip. It could lead you to do something even more life-changing.

Findley, a Jacksonville, Fla., native and Samford University student, took mission trips to Open House Ministries in Homestead, Fla., three summers in a row. The CBFpartner ministry staffed by Wanda Ashworth Valencia, one of CBF’s field personnel,

kids stand in a circle and hold hands, and the staff and the

was so compelling, Findley felt called by God to spend an entire summer there

youth would come up behind them, put our arms around them

serving through Student.Go.

and tell them how they blessed our lives and how we thought

“It changed my life,” said Findley, a member at Hendricks Avenue Baptist Church in Jacksonville. “It changes my life every time I go back. Even though there’s so much brokenness, there’s so much hope through Open House.”

Findley worked alongside Valencia as recreation coordinator, working with children

they could make an impact on the world.

Liz Findley

“I got to about the fifth kid, and I just started crying,” she said. “Some of these kids had never even been told that they were loved, and when I told them how much I loved them and how much God loved them, I could feel

one-on-one and in organized group activities. She believes the diverse group of

their heart beating in their chest and they would start tearing up and crying. It really

children made more of an impact on her than she did on them.

touched me. These kids need to know how special and how loved they are.”

“At the end of the summer we did a prayer of blessing,” Findley said. “We had the

Student.Go: Apply online by March 1 at www.studentdotgo.org.

Adam Banks, Collegiate Congregational Intern Washington University of St. Louis student Adam Banks liked interning at a church so much, he signed up for a second summer.

After a life-changing summer at Third Baptist Church in his hometown of St. Louis,

Banks worked with

Mo., that included everything from shadowing the pastor, chaperoning children

children, youth and

and youth at Passport camps and organizing a relief trip with college students to

college students while

tornado-torn Joplin, Mo., Banks is so glad he did.

serving as one of 93 CBF Collegiate Congregational Interns.

“My most memorable experience from the summer was being able to go to

“For me, I grew a lot, both summers. Last summer I was

Joplin,” Banks said. “I organized the trip and was the leader on the trip, and we got

on the pre-med track, and the Lord just stirred something

there with nine college students. I wanted us to be together and make a big impact,

else up in me,” he said. “I like the track that I’m on now.

but when we first got there, a lady came and asked for two of us to work in the

It was a confirming experience for me. For some people it confirmed that they

kitchen. They split us all up, and I was frustrated inside.

shouldn’t go into ministry, and for some, it just murked up the water. I feel that’s

“I just sat back and paused, and the Lord spoke to me and said, ‘Don’t let what you want get in the way of what I want.’ That was the biggest growing moment of the

Adam Banks

okay, too, because you can discern what the Lord wants for your life.”

Collegiate Congregational Internships: Apply online by March 15 at www.thefellowship.info/collegeinternship.

entire summer for me.”

c’est la vie SELAHvie PAUSE Life.

Aug. 6-9, 2012

As the Fellowship’s minis-

Passport Inc., SELAHvie is a conference for students who have just completed

try to, among and by college

a summer of ministry through one of three programs: CBF’s Student.Go summer

students continues to take

and semester missions program, Passport’s staff for children and youth camps

shape, a new conference

and Collegiate Congregational Internships at CBF churches.

has started to help students

This year, SELAHvie will be open to all college and graduate students, not just

begin their academic year by processing their ministry opportunities from the past

participants in the three programs. To learn more, watch the highlights video from

summer and planning for ministry on their campus and in their churches.

the 2011 conference at http://youtu.be/Sx4jC5qQMOs. Register for the 2012

Created by CBF, funded by Lilly Endowment Inc. and planned by the staff of

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In addition to his disaster response work,

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December 2011/January 2012

conference at www.passportcamps/selahvie.

Partner spotlight

Passport Inc.

Passport Inc., a non-profit organization, provides summer camps for children and youth throughout the United States.

The camps are designed to be ecumenical and inspirational and model service in the name of Christ.

About Passport Founded: 1993; At the invitation of

PASSPORTChoices campers enjoying the first night of Vespers at Wingate University, Wingate, N.C.

Florida CBF Web site: www.passportcamps.org President: David Burroughs Location: Birmingham, Ala. As of August 2011, Passport had hosted more than 80,000 campers from 1,000 congregations and 12 denominations. These campers have engaged in approximately 800,000 hours of missions work and given more than $1 million to global missions.

Photo courtesy of Passport

Partnership • Many summers Passport campers are introduced to the work of CBF global missions for the first time and participate in specific work around the globe through a weekly missions offering. PASSPORTkids! campers have had the opportunity to meet a number of the CBF field

“As an organization, we believe that the theological perspective and missional nature of our programming invests in the future

personnel who have come to spend

leadership of the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship.

the week with them at camp.

After 20 years of hiring women as pastors, there

• Passport staff members coordinate

are a few generations who have a clear picture

events such as Faith in 3D, Youth

that the call of God has nothing to do with gender and that all of us are expected to try and be

Worker Summit and SELAHvie, which Fellowship Baptists attend.

• Passport partners with CBF to produce d365.org, an online devotional that hosted 1 million visitors this year.

• PASSPORTKenya is a 10-year

the presence of Christ in the world through the work of our hands. Former campers now sit on search committees, serve as ministers in our churches and lead on state and national levels.”

David Burroughs, Passport President

“The story of Passport has in many ways paralleled CBF, and it is truly an amazing one. David and Colleen [Burroughs] are creative, visionary and bold leaders. God

partnership with CBF field personnel

continues to use Passport to equip young people for Christian discipleship in the 21st century.

Melody and Sam Harrell.

This partnership is pure delight.”

Daniel Vestal, CBF Executive Coordinator fellowship!

December 2011/January 2012

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5-Day Academy for Spiritual Formation™ October 14-19, 2012 Ignatius House, Atlanta, Ga. The 5-Day Academy for Spiritual Formation™ is like the two-year Academy in a single five-day session. Daily activities include classes, silent reflection, discussions with faculty, covenant group meetings, a nightly Eucharist Service and morning and night prayers.

Leaders for the 5-Day Academy will be Glenn Hinson and Jane Vennard.

Cost — $495 before April 30; $550 after April 30

www.thefellowship.info/academy

Feb. 27-March 1 Freemason Street Baptist Church, Norfolk, Va. Whether you serve in a traditional church setting or create aspects of church in non-traditional settings, this conference provides opportunities for you to discover new ideas and meet others who are also in vocational ministry.

Sponsored by Current, the Fellowship’s young leader’s network, and CBF’s Missional Congregations initiative, the conference combines worship and small group time into a setting where ministers deepen their understanding of their ministry and how it relates to their church environment. This year’s ChurchWorks Conference includes additional time in ministry networks and worship led by author and teacher Brian McLaren and musician Ken Medema.

Lodging — The Tazewell Hotel ($79 per night) Cost — $75 per person; $35 for students at CBF partner theological schools.

www.thefellowship.info/churchworks “Churchworks is a great time to connect with other ministers, be challenged to think outside of the box, and to be renewed spiritually. What minister doesn’t need all three of those things?” — Trinity Whitley, minister to students, St. Andrews Baptist Church, Columbia, S.C.

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December 2011/January 2012

A [Baptist] Conference on Sexuality and Covenant April 19-21, 2012 First Baptist Church of Decatur, Decatur, Ga. This Conference will offer individuals and congregations factual information, compelling biblical and personal narratives, as well as practical models for respectfully and meaningfully engaging the more comprehensive matters of sexuality. Grounded in the concept of covenant and committed to respect what many consider the traditional Christian sexual ethic, the Conference aims to provide the Baptist family and other interested Christians the opportunity to have realistic, honest and compassionate conversation.

Six plenary sessions, each containing multiple perspectives, work in tandem with covenant groups wherein participants have opportunity to process their experiences and insights through dialogue. Rather than being issue driven, the conference approaches sexuality from the perspective of human development, from the mature sexuality of seniors to the emerging sexuality of adolescence — all with a view toward helping churches understand and explore the needs, struggles and dilemmas inherent in beings created as sexual.

The hope of Conference organizers is that this event equip, encourage and empower churches and individuals to become more faithfully the presence of Christ in their respective communities.The Conference is non-conclusive as to policy or statement and inclusive as to diversity of perspective. Everyone is welcome.

Cost — $50; $25 for students at CBF partner theological schools Co-sponsored by the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship and Center for Theology and Public Life, Mercer University

www.thefellowship.info/conference “This Conference is not intended to come to any conclusion; it is a conference, not a summit. One of the things that makes CBF attractive and compelling for me personally is the fact that we resource churches not by making statements, but rather by creating and facilitating formative spaces and generative dialogue.” –— Rick Bennett, CBF director of missional formation “The questions young adults are raising about what has been the traditional Christian sexual ethic are, in a sense, unavoidable.

And it’s our responsibility to create a space for conversation about these issues.” –— David Gushee, Mercer University professor of Christian ethics

The Call of the Wilderness April 9-12, 2012 Marathon, Texas Come the week after Easter to kneel, to walk and to pray the countryside of Big Bend National Park. Place your feet solidly and firmly upon God’s wild earth.

Take pause. Let the solitude and silence of the wilderness call you forward into the community of the resurrection as we begin the great 50 days of Easter.

This spiritual renewal retreat is for ministers and lay leaders. Leading our discovery will be Belden Lane, author of The Solace of Fierce Landscapes.

Cost — $125 program fee (covers program expenses and two box lunches). Hotel accommodations, excursions, and other meals are on your own).

Payment/registration due Jan. 24 (or as space permits). Program fees are non-refundable after Feb. 20.

Lodging — Historic Gage Hotel

www.thefellowship.info/wilderness2012

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Now all glory to God, who is able...to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. Ephesians 3:20

Infinitely more CBF General Assembly 2012

Ask. Imagine. What could God do through you and through us?

June 20-23 // Fort Worth, Texas www.thefellowship.info/assembly Cooperative Baptist Fellowship

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fellowship!

December 2011/January 2012

The Cooperative Baptist Fellowship’s General Assembly is more than an event.

This June 20-23 come to Fort Worth to ask and imagine what God could do through you and through us.

Love more Less is more. Simply, Christ’s call is to love God and

Learn more

Lead more

Looking for ministry ideas and resources? Search no

More often than not, today’s leader is doing more

others. Come to General Assembly to grow in your love

more. Innovation and inspiration await you at General

with less. At General Assembly, take a step back,

for God, God’s mission and God’s people — including

Assembly. Get ready to be equipped for God’s call.

imagine the future and prepare for God to do infinitely

the world’s most neglected.

Highlights include:

more through your ministry.

Highlights include:

Workshops (6.21-22.12)

Highlights include:

Evening Worship (6.22.12)

Resource Fair (6.21-22.12)

Leadership Institute (6.20.12)

Missions field personnel commissioning service

Business Sessions (6.21-22.12)

(6.21.12) Mission Communities (6.22.12) Meet with others

More to come

passionate about joining God’s mission through church starting and faith sharing ministries, economic development ministries, medical

What’s the future of CBF? Infinitely more than we can ask or imagine. So think big; really big. And bring those

ministries, internationals ministries, poverty and

thoughts to General Assembly, where Baptists of all generations will hope, ask, dream and imagine — together.

transformation ministries, education ministries,

Highlights include: Report from 2012 Task Force on CBF’s future (6.21.12)

More please

justice and peacemaking ministries, and disaster response ministries More than a dozen fellowship events (6.20-22.12)

We’re so glad you asked. More than enough information is online at www.thefellowship.info/assembly.

Pre-register. Book your hotel room. Plan your travel.

Fort Worth hotels with CBF discount These hotels are offered as a special service to you, ensuring the most convenient and comfortable accommodations at below-market rates. Hotels are within walking distance of the Convention Center, so no need to worry about in-town cab fares, forgetting something in your room or where you’ll rest between events.

Your stay at a discounted hotel also results in significant savings for the Fellowship, ensuring the Assembly remains free to all attendees.

Omni Fort Worth Hotel (Headquarter Hotel)

Sheraton Fort Worth Hotel & Spa

Hilton Fort Worth Hotel

1300 Houston Street

1701 Commerce Street

815 Main Street

$129 single/double

$129 single/double; $139 triple and $149 quad

$117 single/double/triple/quad

fellowship!

Scan with your smartphone to pre-register online.

December 2011/January 2012

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Cooperative Baptist Fellowship 2930 Flowers Road South, Suite 133 Atlanta, GA 30341 www.thefellowship.info • (800) 352-8741

Celebrate Christmas by sharing Christ Shop the CBF Gift Catalog for life-changing gifts What better way to celebrate Christ this Christmas than by sharing Christ’s presence with someone in need?

The CBF Gift Catalog offers more than 100 life-changing gifts — clean water, food, Bibles and more — that can help change the world.

This Christmas, give these lifechanging gifts a try. Ask your loved ones to purchase a gift in your name, or avoid a trip to the crowded mall and buy a life-changing gift online. There will be people around the world who thank you.

Scan with your smartphone to order online.

$15 provides a gift for an Albanian child living in Greece.

(Project 89881)

$75 provides an innercity child with four gifts chosen by their parents at the Christmas Store of CBF partner Touching Miami with Love.

(Project 89905)

More great gifts online!

www.thefellowship.info/giftcatalog